Myric Acid, better recognized in chemical circles as Tetradecanoic Acid, wears plenty of hats in industry and laboratory work. In the world of chemistry, it answers to the formula C14H28O2, placing it squarely in the family of saturated fatty acids. This compound steps forward with a straightforward carbon backbone—fourteen carbons in a row, each saturated with hydrogen. That seemingly simple design gives it a solid structure at room temperature, making it as predictable as it is reliable. You can find it in several formats: flakes, solid crystalline powder, small uniform pearls, or sometimes as a suspension in a liter-based solution. The odor is faint, a little fatty, with a waxy appearance that tells you this is a substance engineered for versatility.
Tetradecanoic Acid brings a set of physical properties that chemists and manufacturers notice right away. This acid—molecular weight of 228.37 g/mol—usually lands in solid form at standard conditions, its white or off-white color standing out on the lab bench. Density sits at about 0.86 g/cm³, which means it doesn’t sink quite as aggressively as some of its heavier cousins. Its melting point hovers around 54°C, so it resists going soft at room temperature but will yield under moderate heat—perfect for controlled processes. As fats and acids go, it's not volatile or particularly eager to evaporate, which helps when seeking precise measurements and purity levels in pharmaceutical settings or raw material supply.
Trained eyes in pharmaceutical labs value Tetradecanoic Acid not just for its stability, but for the strength it brings to formulations. This material supports the creation of emulsions, acts as a base for topical and oral products, and even helps control the release of active ingredients in formulations. Its consistent solid state and safe handling profile draw interest from drug manufacturers who put safety and predictability first. The HS Code 2915.70 puts it among carboxylic acids, and that means customs and shippers recognize it as a commonly used chemical in regulated sectors, making global trade more straightforward.
Tetradecanoic Acid BP EP USP Pharma Grade doesn’t make the cut on reputation alone. Every batch demands strict specification checks, with established methods like GC or HPLC confirming purity and absence of hazardous byproducts. I’ve watched good labs test for impurities like heavy metals, unsaturated fatty acids, and moisture content that can ruin workflows. If the acid turns up as flakes, pearls, or powder, consistent particle size matters as much as chemical purity because clumping or irregular crystals slow down mixing and may affect batch consistency. The pharmaceutical grade stamp signals a complete record: batch identification, certificate of analysis, and toxicology verification, ensuring nobody has to guess what’s inside.
Dealing with Myric Acid isn’t the free pass some hope for. It lands on the safer side, but respect in handling never hurts. Low volatility means fewer inhalation hazards, but the powder or flakes can irritate skin and eyes if you get careless. Like many fatty acids, it’s not flammable compared to solvents, yet in powdered form, fine dust might present an explosion risk in rare industrial scenarios. Always watch for compatibility with reactive chemicals—some bases or oxidizers can push it to react in unwanted ways. Personal protective equipment goes a long way here, and manufacturers lean on safety data sheets to guide batch handlers.
Sourcing Tetradecanoic Acid for pharma or industry comes down to consistency, traceability, and dependable logistics. Raw materials often originate from renewable sources, such as coconut oil or palm kernel oil, before purification via distillation or crystallization. Each supplier meets regulatory expectations for BP (British Pharmacopoeia), EP (European Pharmacopoeia), and USP (United States Pharmacopeia)—the gold standards. With a global HS Code (2915.70) in play, customs clearance and trade tracking become more transparent, letting procurement professionals compare quality and documentation between regions before sourcing a ton or a single container.
Flakes, solid chunks, fine powder, and pearls—it all depends on downstream needs. Fine powder blends with other excipients in pharmaceutical plants, where uniform dissolution is everything. Flakes or pearls find their home in reactors for controlled melting and mixing—no clumps, just steady integration. Some specialty uses rely on liquid solutions, especially for research, dissolving the acid in compatible solvents at specific concentrations. Crystal-clear purity stands front and center, as anything less cuts down on finished product quality.
Moving forward, innovation centers on safer handling practices and greener sourcing. I’ve seen companies set up closed systems to reduce operator contact, while others invest in high-purity extraction from sustainable sources. Certification schemes promote traceability back to the raw input—whether you’re buying one kilogram or a truckload. Laboratories and end users collaborate on new uses, sometimes as carriers in drug delivery, other times as building blocks for biodegradable materials. Each improvement in specification or processing opens up fresh avenues, setting new expectations for what this reliable fatty acid brings to the lab and production floor.